Vibratory massage apparatus



Oct. 13, 1953 A, J FORCE, JR 2,655,146

' I. VIBRATORY MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed D90. 15. 1951 l8 FIG. 2 -1-\ IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY ALBERT J. FORCE,Jr.

Patented Get. 13, 1953 VIBRATORY MASSAGE APPARATUS.

Albert J. Force, Jr., Oakland, 'Calif., assignor or fifty per cent to David Barer, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application December 15, 1951, Serial N0. 261,880

4 Claims. 1

This invention is a method for employing known tank type domestic electrically powered vacuum cleaners as massage machines to the added advantage of owners .of such cleaners. A

modification of this invention is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial Number 367,581, filed July 13, 1953.

Another object is to provide a new method of creating vibratory motion near the sub-audible range of frequencies.

A further object is to utilize the ordinary flexible vacuum cleaner hose as a massage applicator.

Other objects and advantages will become evident from a consideration of the following descriptive specification wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows, in general arrangement, the type of vacuum cleaner apparatus employed;

Fig. 2 shows, partly in section, a common adapter and coupling for blowing insecticides and the like from a can;

Fig. 3 shows a mechanical element added by this invention;

Fig. 4 shows an air inlet end view of the two elements of Figs. 2 and 3 assembled;

Fig. 5 shows, with half thereof in elevation and half thereof in section, the assembly of Fig. 3 as seen from one side; and

Fig. 6 shows fragmentarily a sleeve protector for the user of the hose of Fig. 1.

The well known apparatus comprises the tank, and electric motor powered pump, unit [0; 2. flexible hose l2, a tubular metal coupler M for the hose, and a semi-rigid elastic rubber fitting or adapter I6. Adapter 16 includes, in integrally molded formation, a sleeve portion I8 to snugly fit over the free end of metal coupler tube l4, a medial and expanding conical wall 20 adjoining the portion l8, and an annular coupler rim portion 22 the inner surface of which is peripherally grooved as at 24 to contractively engage a closure end ring bead on a can (not shown) of disinfectant, demothing flakes, or the like. As normally used with such cans, the air delivery unit l0 blows air through hose I2 and fitting 16 to and through the can and thence into the atmosphere.

For the purposes of this invention, instead of attaching a can to the rubber fitting I6, I provide a right circularly cylindrical solid body 26 of wood or the like having end surfaces formed as planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder with which to cause tubes l2 to have vibratory motion transmitted thereto from the adapter and body 26. I insert this body 26 as shown positioned in the direction of the diameter and across the 2 inside of the rim portion 24 so as to stretch the rim to a mouth shape leaving two "lip-like pore tions 28 and 30 of the rim bowed and displaced slightly from the adjacent surfaces of body 26 by a distance as shown so as to provide normal air inlet passages'at 32 and 34 along the sides-of body '26. I then attach the hose I2 to the suction end of the air pumping unit l0 and-start the electric motor of unit I0 so as to cause air to be drawn through fitting i6 at openings 32 and 34. The body 26 closes the mouth at the upper and lower ends 36 as shown in Fig. 5. -As shown in the drawing the parts I 6 and 26am about-actualsize,

Upon starting the electric motor of unit l0, air is drawn in at about equal volumetric rates at both inlet passages 32 and 34. To start vibration, one lip, as lip 30, is struck with the hand inwardly toward body 26. This causes the gap at 34 to become smaller. Vigorous vibration of the tube l2 transverse its axis commences immediately at an almost inaudible frequency in the lower range of audible frequencies. The vibration is sustained while the hose [2 is handled and draped against the back of the body and other areas to which the massage action is applied. The period and the amplitude of the vibration is altered by varying the depth to which rigid body 26 is inserted within rim 24 and/or by varying the opening of the exhaust port of the pump unit l0.

Since hoses l2 become dirty in general cleaning use. I provide a sleeve of thin plastic sheeting 42 of uniform diameter and of about the length of tube l2 for threading over. the tube l2 when used as a massage applicator.

It will be understood that the standard type hose [2 is usually fabricated to include a continuous helical steel wire of spring quality and uniform helix diameter forming a highly flexible tubular framework of substantially rigid cross sectional passage area to the successive wire turns of which helix are bound suitable air sealing fabric tapes and woven sleeving in the usual and well known ways of construction thereof.

The action seems to be somewhat as follows: The initial restriction of opening 34 by striking the lip 30 causes an increase in vacuum in the tube adjacent the mouth, causing both lips to strike against the side of body 26 and rebound to reopen the passages. The inrush of air causes a lowered pressure again, to draw the lips against the body again. This vibratory action is, accordingly, self-sustaining while the unit l0 continues to draw air through the assembly of I6 and 26.

It is to be understood that, while I have shown a particularly eflicient and low cost means for producing vibratory massage action in the tube 12, I do not wish to be limited in the scope of my protection thereto, but contemplate that other means suitably fastened to the end of the tube i2 may be caused to produce vibrations therein of like character to those produced by my particular combination of elements as described, without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vibration source for a suction hose of a vacuum cleaner comprising, a resilient adapter normally cylindrical at both ends with a irustoconical connecting portion therebetween; and a rigid body positioned in the larger cylindrical end and stretching the rim of the larger end to an elongated form about the rigid body with said rim in vibratory cooperative relation to said rigid body for vibration against the rigid body when said suction hose is subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure interiorly, said smaller cylindrical end comprising connecting means for connection to said suction hose.

2. Means for inducing vibration in a suction hose of a vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising a substantially funnel-shaped member formed of resilient material and having a smaller cylindrical end for connection to a suction hose, a larger normally cylindrical end having a rim, and a frusto-conical portion connecting said cylindrical ends, a cylindrical member formed of rigid material and longitudinally located diametrically in said larger end with said larger end stretched to an elongated, substantially elliptical form thereby with said rim closely related to said rigid member for vibratory reaction therebetween when said suction hose is internally subjected to subatmospheric pressure for creating vibration in said suction hose.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, said funnel shaped member having a shoulder located adjacent the point of juncture between the larger cylindrical end and the trusts-conical portion to form a stop for said cylindrical rigid member in a position with its axis substantially coincident with said rim for suitable cooperation between said rim and said cylindrical member for vibratory action.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, said larger cylindrical end having annular grooves formed in the inner surface of the wall thereof for cooperation with the end edges of said rigid member for retention thereof against displacement.

ALBERT J. FORCE, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19,256 Karlstrom July 24, 1934 1,556,356 Russo Oct. 6, 1925 2,295,817 Winther Sept. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS A Number Country Date 38,169 Denmark Nov. 10, 192'? 258,473 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1926 

